Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:427. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education and Youth to examine the case of a person (details supplied). [68929/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 29 September 2026
Ceisteanna (427)
Freagraí scríofa
This government is fully committed to supporting students with special educational needs to fulfil their full potential and the Programme for Government makes a number of commitments to deliver on this objective.
The National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is the statutory body responsible for the provision of special education and allocating supports for students with special educational needs.
The NCSE is, in the first instance, the primary body responsible for the matter the Deputy has raised. I will arrange for your query to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. Deputies are also welcome to raise such queries with the NCSE directly through their dedicated Oireachtas email address.
The school referred to by the Deputy was established for the 2025/26 school year and initially enrolled 30 students. The department and the NCSE have been supporting the school throughout its establishment and continues to do so as the school expands. An initial allocation of 1 Principal, 1 Administrative Deputy Principal, 5 teachers and 10 Special needs assistants (SNA)s were allocated to the school. For the 2026/27 school year the school enrolled an additional 24 students. These students will attend the school later in Term 1 when essential building works are complete. In the meantime, the school with the support of the NCSE, continue to support all students enrolled.
For this school year, to support the school's expansion, SNA posts have been doubled and 2 additional teaching posts have also been allocated. This includes an Administration/Home Liaison Teacher. The school is also one of 45 special schools selected for the initial roll out of the Education Therapy Service (ETS). Recruitment for these therapists is ongoing for a number of schools including the school referred to by the Deputy.
In the interim, the school has been invited to participate in dedicated Occupational Therapy (OT) and Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) Professional Learning For Special Schools Awaiting Therapist Allocation. Here staff will have direct access to therapists for follow-up coaching, support and practical guidance on implementing therapeutic strategies in the school. In addition, a member of the school's staff has already attended the NCSE's three-day professional learning programme for newly established special schools, which included therapy-led training delivered by OT and SLT professionals.
My department and the NCSE are committed to delivering an education system that is of the highest quality and where every child and young person feels valued and is actively supported and nurtured to achieve their full potential.